BAGUIO CITY – The city council passed on first reading a proposed ordinance establishing a city pasalubong and enterprise development center as a local economic enterprise of the city government also known as the “Baguio City Kabuhayan Center Ordinance”.
Authored by councilor Elaine Sembrano, the measure cites, among others, the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act of 2002, that it is the state’s policy to hasten the country’s economic development by encouraging the formation and growth of barangay micro business enterprises and integrating those in the informal sector with the mainstream economy through the active intervention of local government and granting of incentives and benefits to generate much-needed employment and alleviate poverty.
“Enterprise development is one program the local government needs to pursue to foster a vibrant local economic environment participated in by a majority of stakeholders, especially micro and small ventures,” the ordinance states.
It adds that as a tourism and educational center north of the national capital region, “trade and commerce are the backbone of the local economy, the strengthening of micro and small enterprises through proper government intervention would provide an opportunity for these enterprises to truly contribute to the local economy while working for their respective families.”
The measure also gives the City Kabuhayan Center’s general components, the local economic enterprise committee’s composition with the City Mayor as chairperson and enumerates the group’s duties and responsibilities.
Half of the proceeds from the Center’s operation shall accrue to the city’s general fund while the other half shall be deposited in an account purposely to fund the Center’s expansion, assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other activities allowed by law.**gaby keith
